N438m Contract Scandal: Interior Minister Sighted In Aso Villa
Following the uproar accompanying revelations that a firm linked to him secured a N438 million consultancy contract under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Minster of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was on Tuesday sighted in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he met with President Bola Tinubu.
There were conflicting reports concerning his presence in the Presidential Villa as some had suggested that the Minister was summoned by President Tinubu to explain the issues connected with the N438 million controversy while others maintained that he was in the seat of power on a routine ministerial visit.
It was not clear whether he met with the president, but a top Presidency official confirmed Tunji-Ojo’s visit but asked not to be named. He also declined to give further details.
The official explained that the Minister’s presence in the Presidential Villa was routine affair, but was not forthcoming on the reasons for the visit.
He simply said “one cannot rule out the possibility of the prevailing matter forming the crux of their closed door meeting.”
It was gathered that the President had to reschedule many of his Tuesday engagements for sundry other pressing issues such as emerging developments from Niger Republic where the military junta had released some members of the deposed president’s family from detention.
At least three other ministers including Hanatu Musawa (Arts and Creative Economy), Shuaibu Audu (Steel Development) and Adebayo Adelabu (Power) were in the villa but were unable to meet with the president because of his busy schedule.
However, when asked to comment on the controversy, Tunji-Ojo simply told correspondents: “We are too intelligent to be stupid.”
The Interior minister had denied any involvement in the N438 million contract awarded to New Planet Project Limited that he co-founded.
He had explained in an interview on Monday night on Channels Television that he was no longer involved in the running of the firm having resigned as a director in 2019.
